What We've Been Up To... *CAUTION*: Long Post Ahead!

I'd have to say the biggest adventure we have been experiencing lately is having to deal with Izzy being in heat! Most dogs go through it between 6-12 months, and well, Izzy is 9 months and her time has come. They say it usually lasts about three weeks and that they have it twice a year. I never realized that it could be so messy. And of course, as you all know, we live in a nice little apartment upstairs with our nearly new carpet. Let's just say, we are taking every necessary precaution to try and keep our carpet it's nice clean color. So, in order to this, we bought Izzy diapers! I never thought I'd see the day come when I would put a diaper on a dog! She's been pretty much her normal self. Poor girl, it's really not been fun for her or us. We are, however, planning on getting her spayed. The vet's office is booked until the month of June so we cannot make an appointment for her until next week. And of course, I am planning on being gone, so it looks like Kyle is going to be making that call. Here are a few fun pictures of our girl.

We cut a hole out of the diaper for her tail! She is clearly not amused.
I often babysit this little boy (Vincent Cloud... he goes by Cloud). Izzy borrowed one of Cloud's diapers on this day. Haha!
Cloud checking out Izzy's dinner...
Here's a couple of pictures of a beach trip we took with Izzy. She's not a fan of the water, but despite her acting like she was drowning the whole time, we think she had a lot of fun!
Look at this adorable pillow I got for Izzy at one of my favorite Japanese thrift stores for Y800! She LOVES it. Can you say spoiled?!
As mentioned earlier, I am planning on going back to the states on Saturday! Unbelievable. I cannot believe how fast these past couple of months have gone by. I am super excited about returning home and seeing family and friends. I am praying very hard that I make it onto the Space A flight this Saturday. I am on the list and ready to go. Just hoping they have some open seats! I know God is in control and if He wants me on that flight, He'll allow it to happen. Of course, it would work out best for me if I make the flight. But, we know that God's plans are usually better then ours. :) I also know there might be some issues with the whole swine flu epidemic and the fact that it is PCS season, so I realize I need to just be patient with the whole process.

Other then getting ready for my trip home, I've been doing a lot of babysitting and just working around the house. I did a little bit more planting in my yard. So, that is coming along. Unfortunately, my banana tree is GONE! My neighbor had her dog chained up near my yard and her dog ATE my tree! She ate it all the way down to the ground. It was a pretty pathetic sight when I went outside to investigate the damage. I will say that I am not upset with my neighbor, but I was sad about the situation. I mean, my puny little tree was actually doing well and I was excited about watching it grow. I'm sure if I leave it in the ground, the banana tree will eventually sprout up again. She didn't eat any of the roots, just the leaves and the trunk. However, my neighbor offered to give me one of her trees to replace mine. So, I'm thinking I might take her up on that offer. Here are some pictures from that night. Kyle's course is almost finished! It has been a long past couple of weeks, but really, it has gone by pretty fast. Since starting his course, most of his nights include homework and studying. He has been quite busy. But, it has all paid off because he is doing really well and getting good grades on his tests. I am very proud of him and his hard work! His course finishes up next Tuesday. Of course, I'll be back in the states, but I'm glad it will slow down a little bit for him.

While in this course, I have been learning to be a more supportive wife and helper to him (still have a long ways to go.) We have both been learning so much in this first year of marriage. It amazes us every day why God would put us two together. Haha, I know that sounds funny, but seriously, it's amazing how opposite we are from each other. But, He knew Kyle has what I lack and need in my life. We are very different people, but it has been an amazing learning process in how to work with each other. I am so grateful that God allowed me to marry Kyle. He is such a hard worker and I love his drive and determination he has in life.

Well, I guess I'll wrap this up. Pretty much, life's been great. Other then having a menstrual dog, I am happy and blessed to be where I am at in life right now. If you'd like, here is a tiny list of things you could pray for:
-Pray that I get on the flight Saturday. And that I don't get near anyone who is sick, because if I do, supposedly anybody near them will probably be quarantined. (So I hear...)
-Pray that I will be content in whatever happens with my flight situations.
-Pray that Kyle finishes strong in this course.
-Pray that Kyle doesn't strangle our dog while I am away. Not that he has it in him to do this evil deed, but, she can be high maintenance. Haha.
That's all for now.